Pump



May 19,;1964

Filed Feb. 19. 1962 L. MIRANDO 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 OUISMEANDO.

wwwazwmm l7 WEE/V575.

L. MIRANDO May 19, 1964 PUMP 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 19, 1962 IN VEN TOR. Lou/5 Men/v0 0.

May 19, 1964 Filed Feb. 19, 1962 L. MIRANDO 3,133,696

PUMP

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Z0 U/SMQfl/VD o.

ATTORNEY-5T United States Patent 3,133,696 PUMP Louis Mirando, Teaneclr, Ni, assignor to The Holiday lline, Inn, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New ork Filed Feb. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 176,482 3 Elaims. (Cl. 23016ti) This invention relates to pumps and more particularly to a foam pump adapted to be inserted'in an airtight envelope and to inflate said envelope by the application of pressure to said foam pump. In another form of the invention the foam pump may be enclosed in its own airtight envelope and utilized to inflate other objects.

This application is a continuation-in-part of earlier filed application Serial No. 154,200, filed November 22, 1961, now abandoned. I

In recent years, an increasing number of people have become interested in water sports such as boating, swimming, surf riding, water polo, etc. One of the principal objects utilized in water games or sports is a pneumatic or air mattress. These air mattresses are utilized for sun bathing, surf riding, floating and other water games or sports. These air mattresses generally consist of sheets of a waterproof material sealed around the edges to form an airtight enclosure. A valve is provided in order to selectively inflate the air mattress.

One of the disadvantages of prior art air mattresses is that a pump is required to inflate the air mattress. This requires either carrying along a hand pump in order to inflate the air mattress, or else taking the deflated air mattress to an accessible air pump, inflating it, and then carrying the air mattress while inflated to the place where it is to be used. In order to overcome this disadvantage, efforts have been made to build pumps within the air mattress. These pumps, however, were generally of the metal bellows type with the resultant disadvantage that after several uses the metal portions of the pump ruptured the lining of the air mattress and rendered it unusable.

In view of the foregoing, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a pump constructed of foam material which may be easily enclosed within the air mattress.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a pump made of a cellular material adapted to be inserted in an airtight envelope and to selectively inflate said envelope by applying pressure to said cellular material to compress the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pump made of cellular material which may be enclosed in an airtight envelope and which is provided with valve means to permit air to flow into said pump but not to escape therefrom.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a pump made of cellular material which is enclosed in an airtight envelope which is provided with inlet and outlet valves which are activated when the cellular material is alternately compressed and expanded whereby said pump can be utilized to inflate other objects.

These and further objects of the present invention will appear from the following detailed description of the invention to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like components of the several views are identified by the same reference numerals.

In said drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an air mattress schematically showing how the pump of the present invention is enclosed within said airtight envelope and the manner in which the pump is operated in order to inflate the interior of the mattress.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-section taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 but illustrating the pump .of the present invention before pressure has been applied thereto.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 but illustrating' the operation of the pump of the present invention after the pressure has been applied thereto.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view of the valve illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the left-hand side of the pump of the present invention as viewed in FIG- URES 2 and 3.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of the present invention wherein the pump is adapted to selectively inflate the other objects.

FIGURE 7 is an end view of thepump illustrated in FIGURE 6.

. FIGURE 8 is a partial cross-section taken on the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7. Y

FIGURE 9 is a cross-section taken on the line 9-9 of FIGURE 8 and illustrates the action of the pump of the present invention when the pump is compressed and air expelled from the interior of the pump.

FIGURE ll) is a cross-section taken on the line Iii-10 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 11 is a cross-section taken on the line 1111 of FIGURE 10 and illustrates the action of the air intake valve of the pump of the present invention.

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of still another modified form of the present invention wherein the pump is adapted to selectively inflate other objects, and

FIGURE 13 is a partial cross-section taken on the line 1313 of FIGURE 12.

Referring now to the drawings, the pump of the present invention will be described with reference to an air mattress, but it is to be understood that the present invention may be utilized with any substantially airtight envelope which 'it is desired to selectively inflate. The air mattress which is designated in general by the numeral 10 consists of a substantially airtight envelope. The mattress 10 is formed of any airtight and watertight material, the upper sheet 11 and lower sheet 12 being heat-sealed along the edges 13 to form an airtight enclosure. It is to be understood that the mattress 10 may take any desired shape or configuration.

The pump of the present invention is designated in general by the numeral 14 and consists of a cellular material such as polyethylene, urethane, etc. It is important that the cellular material from which the pump is made is of open celled construction such that air may flow from one cell to the other. The cellular material 15 is preferably provided in block form as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3 but may, if desired, be of shredded foam material. In addition to being cellular and of open cell construction, the filler material 15 must be easily compressible and be substantially resilient or elastic so that it will return to its original shape once pressure is removed.

In the preferred form of the invention, the filler material 15 is in block form with a length and width substantially equal to that of an average persons foot. The purpose of this will be presently described.

The filler material 15 is enclosed in an airtight en velope illustrated in general by the numeral 16. One end of the envelope 16 is heat sealed along the seam 17 which is substantially conformed to the contour of the filler 15. The other end of the envelope 16 is extended beyond the filler material 15 and tapers therefrom in a funnel arrangement depicted in general by the numeral 18. The funnel 18 is formed by an extension of the envelope 16 in such manner that adjacent the outer end of the funnel 18 the upper and loWer flaps identified respectively by the numerals 19 and 20 are in engagement as illustrated in FIGURE 2. The Whole forms a chamher generally illustrated by the numeral 21. In normal usage the flaps 19 and 26 remain in engagement such that the interior 21 of the pump 14 is provided with an airtight chamber although this is not essential to the operation of the pump. This is due to the fact that the material of the envelope 16 has a natural aflinity for itself and will normally maintain the opening 22 in the funnel 19 closed. A check valve is thus provided at one end of the airtight envelope.

The upper flap 19 is provided with a check valve 23 in a portion of the envelope 16 of the pump 14 substantially removed from the funnel 13. An opening is also provided in the upper sheet 11 of the mattress through which the valve 23 extends. This serves to position the pump 14 within the mattress 10 and maintains the pump 14 in position within the mattress 10 during usage. In installing the valve 23 the various portions are heatsealed together to provide an airtight enclosure and in order to seal the respective parts together. In this manner, the pump 14 is secured within the mattress 10 while still maintaining the airtight enclosure. It is to be noted that the filler 15 is of substantially the same thickness as the mattress 10 which also functions to maintain the pump 14 in relative position within the mattress 10.

The valve 23 has an opening 24 therethrough such that the chamber 21 is in communication with the atmosphere. The upper or outer portion of the valve 23 is provided with a closure member 25 which is preferably hinged to or formed integrally with the valve 23. This closure member serves to close the opening 24 in the valve 23 to prevent the flow of air either into or out of the chamber 21. The other side of the valve 23 within the chamber 21 is provided with a flap 26 which is hinged to or formed integrally with the valve 23. The flap 26 is normally biased to close the opening 24 in the valve 23 to prevent the flow of air into or out of the chamber 21.

In assembling the pump of the present invention, the filler 15 is enclosed with the envelope 16 and the valve 23 is sealed in position. The pump 14 is then positioned within the mattress 1t) and the seams 13 of the mattress 10 are then heat-sealed to form an airtight enclosure. During this operation, the mattress 10 is also sealed to the valve 23 to complete the assembly.

When it is desired to inflate the mattress 10, the valve 27 provided on the mattress is first closed. The valve 27 may be of any well-known type which is movable from an open to a closed position. When the valve 27 is in a closed position, pressure is applied to the mattress 10 above the pump 14 and thereby to the filler 15. This pressure is preferably applied by placing one foot upon the mattress 10 as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 3 and pumping the foot up and down. In the normal condition of the filler 15 it is in expanded form as illustrated in FIGURE 2 and air is entrapped within the open cell construction of the filler material. When pressure is applied to the filler 15 it is compressed as illustrated in FIGURE 3. When the filler 15 is compressed, the back pressure forces the flap 26 securely against the opening 24 in the valve 23 thereby preventing the flow of air through the valve 23. The air being forced from the filler 15 due to its compression is thereby forced through the funnel 18. This flow of air under pressure through the funnel 18 serves to separate the flaps 19 and 20 to provide the opening 22 through which the air can flow into the interior of the mattress 10. When the filler material 15 is compressed, pressure is removed therefrom and due to its resilience it starts to expand back towards its normal shape. Since a partial vacuum has been created within the chamber 21 this difference in pressure serves to bring the flaps 19 and 20 into close contact closing the opening 22. In addition, since the closure member 25 has been swung to an open position, a pressure differential has been provided on the side of the flap 26 in communication with the atmosphere and on the side of the flap 26 in communication with the air in the chamber 21. Since a partial vacuum exists in the chamber 21, the atmospheric pressure serves to force the flap 26 open and allows air to flow through the opening 24 in the valve 23 into the chamber 21. This air enters the cells in the filler material 15 and serves to expand the'filler material to its original shape illustrated in FIG- URE 2. When the filler material has expanded to its normal shape, the pressure within the chamber 21 is the same as the atmospheric pressure. The flap 26 therefore again moves into a position to close the valve 23 thereby rendering the chamber 21 airtight since the flaps 19 and 20 also normally remain in contact, thereby forming a seal therebetween. The above procedure is duplicated until such time as sutficient air has been forced within the mattress 10 to expand it to its desired shape and buoyancy. When this has been done, the closure 25 is swung to a closed position to close the valve 23 and prevent any escape of air from within the mattress 10. When it is desired to deflate the mattress 10, the valve 27 is opened and air flows therethrough until the mattress 10 is deflated. When the mattress 10 is completely deflated it can be folded into a very compact package for storage.

There are in use today many inflatable items such as air mattresses, tubes, air floats, inflatable toys, etc. When it is desired to inflate items of this type, they must either be taken to a source of compressed air or inflated by conventional air pumps. One of the objects of this invention accordingly is to provide a pump which is light in weight, inexpensive to manufacture and which may be used to inflate the types of objects enumerated above. A pump of this type is illustrated in FIGURES 6 through 11 and is substantially similar to the pump 14 illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 5. The component parts of the pump 14 which are identical in the pump illustrated in FIGURES 6 through 11 will accordingly be identified by the same reference numeral with the addition of the subscript a.

The pump 14a includes a cellular filler material 15a enclosed in an airtight form-fitting envelope 16a. One end of the envelope 16a is extended beyond the filler material 15a and tapers therefrom in a funnel arrangement depicted in general by the numeral 18a. The funnel 18a is formed by an extension of the envelope 16a in such a manner that adjacent the outer end of the funnel 13a the upper and lower flaps identified respectively by the numerals 33 and 34 terminate in a constricted opening 28. The opening 28 has inserted therein or attached thereto a stem or valve 29 adapted to be connected to a valve or stem 30 on the object to be inflated such that air may flow from the interior 21a of the pump 14a, through the opening 28 in the funnel 18a, through the valve 29, the valve 30 and thence into the object 31 which it is desired to inflate.

The opening 28 in the funnel 18a has secured therein a check valve 32. The valve 32 is in essence the same as the flaps 19 and 20 in FIGURE 3 with the flaps 33 and 34 in FIGURE 9 being equivalent to the extensions of the upper 11 and lower 12 sheets of the mattress 10. The fiaps of the valve 32 have accordingly been numbered 19a and 20a and function and perform in the same manner and for the same purpose as the flaps 19 and 20. In normal usage therefore the flaps 19a and 20a remain in engagement such that the interior 21a of the pump 14a is provided with an airtight chamber. This is due to the fact that the material of the flaps 19a and 20a have a natural aflinity for itself and will normally maintain the opening in the valve 32 closed.

The upper flap 33 is provided with a check valve 35 in a portion of the envelope 16a of the pump 14a substantially removed from the funnel 18a. The valve 35 consists of a substantially rigid disc 36 of plastic or other material which is heat-sealed or otherwise attached to the envelope 16a, the attachment being made about the periphery of the disc 36 for a purpose to be presently described. As illustrated in FIGURE 11, the inner surface of the disc 36 is provided with an annular ridge 37 adjacent the periphery of the disc 36. The ridge 37 is adapted to receive the envelope 16a to provide an airtight seal therebetween. The portion of the envelope 16a underlying the disc 36 is provided With a plurality'of radially spaced openings 38, and the disc 35 is provided with'a central opening 39 for a purpose to be presently'described.

When it is desired to use the pump 14a'to inflate an object such as the tube 31 the valve 29 is attached to the valve 30. Pressure is then applied to the pump 14a and thereby to the filler 15a preferably by placing one 'foot upon the pump 14a as illustrated in FIGURE 6 and then pumping the foot up and down. In the normal condition of the filler 15a it is in expanded form and air is entrapped within the open cell construction of the filler material. When the filler 15a is compressed the back pressure forces the portion of the envelope 16a beneath the disc 35 up against the under side of the disc 36 thereby preventing air from flowing from the interior 21a of the pump 14a through the openings 38 and thence through the opening 39 in the disc 35 to the atmosphere. The air being forced from the filler 15a due to its compression is thereby forced through the valve 32 into the funnel 13a, through the valve 29 and thence into the valve 30 and the tube 31. This flow of air under pressure through the valve 32 serves to separate the flaps 19a and a so air can flow therethrough. 7

When the filler material 15a is compressed, pressure is removed therefrom and due to its resilience it starts to expand back to its normal shape. Since a partial vacuum has been created within the chamber 21a this difference in pressure serves to bring the flaps 19a and 20a into close contact thereby closing the valve 32. The partial vacuum also draws the envelope 16a away from the underside of the disc 36 thereby permitting air to flow through the openings 38 and into the interior 21a of the pump 14a. This expands the filler 15ato its normal shape.

FIGURES l2 and 13 illustrate a modified pump of this invention adapted to inflate other objects and embodying a check valve of the floating ball type. It is substantially similar to the pump illustrated in FIGURES 1-5. Accordingly, the component parts of the pump 14 which are identical in the pump illustrated in FIGURES 12 and 13 will be identified by the same reference numeral with the addition of the subscript b.

The pump 14b includes a compressible, resilient, cellular material 15b enclosed in an airtight form-fitting envelope 1611. One end of the envelope 16b extends beyond the filler material 15b and tapers therefrom in a funnel arrangement generally represented by the numeral 18b and having upper and lower flaps 39 and 40 respectively joined along line of seal 41.

The upper flap has a check valve generally represented by the numeral 42 appropriately secured therein as by sealing along the line of seal 43. The valve is preferably constructed on an elastomeric material and is of the floating ball type which comprises a cylindrical body 44 having a through bore 45 and being formed with a generally arcuate seat 46. A floating ball 47 of light construction is disposed within the through bore 45 and alternately engages the seat or is forced away from the seat to prevent entrance of air or to permit exit of air as will be described more fully hereinafter.

A stem 48 adapted to be connected to a cooperating valve member in the object to be inflated is secured to the end of the valve as by cooperating flange members 49 and 50 in the valve and stem respectively. The valve includes ball retarding means or ball stop shown as a pin 51 extending through the cylindrical body 44 to prevent the ball from being forced into the stem 48. The stop is not essential and may be omitted. Its function may be performed by enlarging either of the flanges 49 and 50 to prevent passage of the ball. The pump 14b is constructed with a check valve in a portion of the envelope 16b substantially removed from the check valve 42. This valve is preferably of the type illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 10 and generally represented by the numerals 23 and 35.

The operation of the pump 14b is similar to the operation of the pump 14a. The stem 48 is secured to the cooperating member on the object to be inflated. Pressure is applied to the pump preferably by placing the foot on the pump as illustrated in FIGURE 12. During the downward stroke of the foot air is expelled from the cellular material and the ball 47 is forced away from the seat 46 so that the air may enter the object to be inflated by passing through the stem 48. Theother check valve in the envelope concurrently operates to prevent air from leaving the pump during a compression stroke and to permit air to enter during the expansion phase. As with the other embodiments of this invention, the removal of pressure from the pump permits the resilient filler'material to resume its normal configuration. The partial vacuum created thereby serves to urge the return of the ball 47 to the seat 46 thereby closing the valve 42 to prevent the possibility of air escaping back to the pump from the object being inflated.

In its broadest aspect a pump of this invention comprises a compressible, resilient, cellular material enclosed in and substantially filling an airtight envelope, the same being constructed with two valve means substantially removed from each other. The valves are designed so that during the compression stroke of the pump air is forced out of the cells of the compressible material through one valve which is in operative relation with the object to be inflated while at the same time the second valve prevents the escape of air therethrough. During an expan sion stroke, that is, when the compressive force is removed, the first valve operates to prevent air reentering the pump from the object to be inflated while the second valve opens to permit entrance of atmospheric air.

What has been described is a pump which may easily be included within any air tight envelope and which, through the application of pressure, will serve to quickly, simply and efficiently inflate the envelope within which it is contained. It is to be understood that although several embodiments of the invention have been described, changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A pump for inflating air mattresses and the like, said pump comprising a substantially airtight envelope having a chamber therein, compressible resilient open celled material enclosed in and substantially filling said chamber, a substantially rigid annular flat disc attached to said envelope having a central opening therein, the inner surface of said disc being provided with an annular ridge adjacent its periphery, said ridge being in face-to-face relationship with a cooperating section of said envelope to form an airtight seal when the area of said envelope underneath said disc is forced against the lower surface of said disc by back pressure arising from the compression of said open celled material, the said underneath area having a plurality of radially spaced openings therein, the same being so spaced that they are forced against the inner surface of said disc by the said back pressure arising from compression of said open celled material to form an airtight seal and also provide an air passage for air passing through the said central opening in said disc into said chamber when compression is removed from said open celled material.

2. A pump for inflating air mattresses and the like, said pump comprising a substantially airtight envelope having a chamber therein, compressible resilient open celled material enclosed in and substantially filling said chamber, a substantially rigid annular flat disc attached to said envelope having a central opening therein, the inner surface of said disc being provided with an annular ridge adjacent its periphery, said ridge being in face-to-face relationship with a cooperating section of said envelope to form an airtight seal when the area of said envelope underneath said disc is forced against the lower surface of said disc by back pressure arising from the compression of said open celled material, the said underneath area having a plurality of radially spaced openings therein, the same being so spaced that they are forced against the inner surface of said disc by the said back pressure arising from compression of said open celled material to form an airtight seal and also provide an air passage for air passing through the said central opening in said disc into said chamber when compression is removed from said open celled material, a first pair of flaps joined one to the other forming a funnel which depends from one end of said envelope and forms an extension of said chamber, the wider end of said funnel facing towards the open celled material and the narrower end facing away from said material, said narrower end being adapted to receive a valve and to communicate with the object to be inflated through said valve, a second pair of flaps extending parallel to said first pair of flaps and disposed within said funnel, one end of each of said second pair of flaps being fixedly connected to the first pair of flaps respectively towards the wider end of said funnel, said second pair of flaps having an affinity one for the other to air seal the other ends thereof when compression is removed from said open celled material, said first pair of flaps being adapted to resiliently contract to assure positive closure of said second pair of flaps when compression is removed from said open celled material, and both pair of flaps adapted to be forced outwardly to provide an air passage between said second pair of flaps in response to air forced from said open celled material by compression thereof.

3. A pump for inflating air mattresses and the like, said pump comprising a substantially airtight envelope having a chamber therein, compressible resilient open celled material enclosed in and substantially filling said chamber, a substantially rigid annular fiat disc attached to said envelope having a central opening therein, the inner surface of said disc being provided with an annular ridge adjacent its periphery, said ridge being in face-to-face relationship with a cooperating section of said envelope to form an airtight seal when the area of said envelope underneath said disc is forced against the lower surface of said disc by back pressure arising from the compression of said open celled material, the said underneath area having a plurality of radially spaced openings therein, the same being so spaced that they are forced against the inner surface of said disc by the said back pressure arising from compression of said open celled material to form an airtight seal and also provide an air passage for air passing through the said central opening in said disc into said chamber when compression is removed from said open celled material, a pair of flaps joined one to the other forming a funnel which depends from one end of said envelope and forms an extension of said chamber, a cylindrical body member sealed in one of said flaps, said body member having a through bore constructed with an arcuate seal therein, a pin extending through said body member and said through bore, a ball disposed within said through bore and adapted to be forced from said seat and engage said pin in response to air forced from said open celled material by compression of same and to engage said seat in response to external air pressure when compression is removed from said filler.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 247,142 Woods Sept. 13, 1881 834,185 Campbell Oct. 23, 1906 1,910,961 Perry May 23, 1933 2,068,134 Houghton Jan. 19, 1937 2,589,716 Marsh Mar. 18, 1952 2,936,366 Rainford May 10, 1960 3,042.941 Marcus July 10, 1962 

1. A PUMP FOR INFLATING AIR MATTRESSES AND THE LIKE, SAID PUMP COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY AIRTIGHT ENVELOPE HAVING A CHAMBER THEREIN, COMPRESSIBLE RESILIENT OPEN CELLED MATERIAL ENCLOSED IN AND SUBSTANTIALLY FILLING SAID CHAMBER, A SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID ANNULAR FLAT DISC ATTACHED TO SAID ENVELIOE HAVING A CENTRAL OPENING THEREIN, THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID DISC BEING PROVIDED WITH AN ANNULAR RIDGE ADJACENT ITS PERIPHERY, SAID RIDGE BEING IN FACE-TO-FACE RELATIONSHIP WITH A COOPERATING SECTION OF SAID ENVELOPE TO FORM AN AIRTIGHT SEAL WHEN THE AREA OF SAID ENVELOPE UNDERNEATH SAID DISC IS FORCED AGAINST THE LOWER SURFACE OF SAID DISC BY BACK PRESSURE ARISING FROM THE COMPRESSION OF SAID OPEN CELLED MATERIAL, THE SAID UNDERNEATH AREA HAVING A PLURALITY OF RADIALLY SPACED OPENINGS THEREIN, THE SAME BEING SO SPACED THAT THEY ARE FORCED AGAINST 